National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1689
Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
28 May 2026
deep-seated concerns.
Our daughter has a long history of high support needs across daily living, personal care and community participation. She was born with significant impairments including intellectual disability and a chromosomal defect. In 2022 she was further affected when she suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) as a result of a pedestrian accident.
Prior to the NDIS, ’s entire life was in the disability sector. The problem with this ’disability-based life’ is that it is not perceived as a normal part of society. The NDIS, however, changed this. Since the implementation of the NDIS, has had the experience and opportunity to enjoy at least some mainstream engagement. We cannot express more deeply just how important it is that disabled people are not isolated, grouped together like in the ’bad old days’ (that led to the Royal Commission). This is what we fear will happen if our daughter’s community participation is reduced (or cut).
The NDIS has redefined, for participants like , what life looks like specifically extending to her a balanced program of both disability and mainstream supports. We believe that this has helped raise the bar and challenged her to set goals that we do not believe she would have worked towards if not for the NDIS’ focus on goal related core support and capacity building.
We are extremely concerned about proposed cuts to community participation and capacity building as these are the areas that are priority for us. Our daughter is very much a social person, but she doesn’t have the intellectual or physical skills to match her social intent. Added to this, is very vulnerable in social situations. She does not understand the pragmatics of language, and she does not “read the room.” She has a companion card because she needs 100% support
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1689
in the community. To take away community participation means that she will be left at home isolated and disengaged. Because is a socially motivated person, being ’stuck’ at home will inevitably cause distress and we worry about her resultant mental health.
We and her medical support have seen that when experiences any form of reduction in community-based participation, a mental health episode/display result. Her behaviours deteriorate and she experiences increased dysregulation and challenging ’Behaviours of Concern’. We predict, with confidence, that should ’s NDIS plan be reduced, she is at considerable risk of depression, isolation, lack of purpose and an inevitable decrease in her quality of life. Currently, we are experiencing challenges with the maintenance of support staff – another great concern for us, should the situation deteriorate any further.
It is important to state in this submission that because of challenging behaviours ’s relationships with her siblings and father are far from ideal. This leaves only her aging mother to take out into the community and that is simply not appropriate that a 33-year-old be socialising with mum as carer. Her mother is doing what she should be doing – working and looking after her grandchild (with another one on the way).
Without the NDIS, will become less able to get out into the community, unable to access the supports she needs when faced with barriers and will have reduced capacity to work on her life goals and NDIS goals.
We are extremely concerned by the changes that have been proposed, for the disabled, and the direct effect they may have on our significantly disabled daughter.
We ask you, our representatives, to consider the multitude of effects this will have on common citizens like and our families.